Henry m



(No Model.)

H. M. HANDSHY. AGBTYLBNE GAS LAMP.

No. 591,132. Patented Oct. 5,1897.

m2 cams PEIEIIS ca. PMOTO-LIYHD. wAsmNmoN u c Nl'IjED STATES;

PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY M. HANDSHY, on CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AssIeNo R TO CHESTER J.

MOPHERSON, OF .SAME PLACE.

" A CETYL ENE-GASLAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 591,132, dated October 5, 1897. Application filed December 10, 1896. s rum. 615,097. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY M. HANDsHY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of-Gook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lamps, of which the'following is a specification, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of'a lamp embodying my invention, and Fig. 2 a plan section taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

This invention relates to lamps,- and is more particularly designed for use on vehicles,more

especially bicycles, although capable of other applications.

It has for its objects to produce a compact reliable gas-lamp which shall generate its own gas at a small cost, and shall be simple in construction and operation, giving a strong and steady light not easily extinguished.

To these and other ends the invention consists in certain novel features, which will be hereinafter described and then'pointed out tacle or chamber, and the third, D, a receptacle or chamber for containing carbid of calcium. Between these two latter chambers is a perforated diaphragm E, and between the chambers B and C is a flexible or movable diaphragm F, having an opening f, controlled by a valve G, which is fixed. A pipe or conduit I-I extends from the valve-opening f to the chamber D, which latter is located below the chamber B, so that when the valve is open the water may flow by gravity from the latter chamber to the former.

I is a purifier preferably located within the chamber 0 and having leading'from it the eduction-pipe J, which supplies the gas to the burner.

As to details of construction, which may be varied, it will be noted that that portion A of the body A which forms the bottom and side portions of the chamber D is removably connected to the main part of said body by a 'screw or slip-joint, as shown at a. An opening din the bottom of the chamber D, closed by a screw, cap, or plug'd, may beemployed either alone or in conjunction with the removable construction of the ohamber'D just described for the purpose of charging and cleaning the same.

The diaphragm F is preferably constructed of rubber, its edge being upturned and secured by a ring F, as shown in Fig. 1, sprung into place, in conjunction with a groove a, so that a gas-tight joint is formed at this point, while at the same time the entire diaphragm may be rapidly removed and replaced. Instead of rubberpr the like, thin sheet metal, preferably corrugated, may be used for the diaphragm.

The chamber B is provided with a removable water-tight cover A or any suitable means for filling the same. A sponge or other suitable absorbent for preventing splashing of the water in the chamber B may be employed.

The valve G is removably secured to the upper end of a stem G, passing down through the pipe H, and secured to the bottom of the chamber D. This stem may be secured to the diaphragm E, or it' may extend upward from the valve and be secured to the top A of the chamber B. I

- The pipe H is shown secured to the diaphragm F and forming the valve-seat or a portion thereof, its lower end moving freely through the diaphragm E; but it isobvious that the lower end of the pipe may be secured to the diaphragm E, the diaphragm F being the upper end and having the eduction-pipe J opening into the lower end.

The pipe J is provided with a controllingvalve J, by which the supply of gas to the burner is regulated and controlled.

The portion of the lamp heretofore described has for its functions the generation and storage of the gas. The burner K may or may not be mounted on the body A. As shown, it is mounted directly on the front of the body A, being supported by an annular connection K, and comprising a reflector K which also forms the comb ustion-chamber, and a lens K which may be hinged, as shown,

or otherwise removable to give access to the burner for lighting purposes, or it may be fixed andother means of access to the burner for this purpose employed, as is common in such lamps. A ventilator K and suitable air-inlets k are also provided. The supplypipe J is provided with a suitable burner j within the reflector K The apparatus thus organized operates as follows: The chamber D being filled with carbid of calcium and the chamber B with water this latter passes through the valve-opening f and down through the pipe H into the chamber D. Here it comes into contact with the carbid of calcium and generates acetylene gas, which, rising through the perforated dia V phragm E, enters and fills the chamber 0. As this latter chamber fills the pressure of the gas therein 011 the diaphragm F causes the latter to rise, whereupon the valve G graduthe outflow of gas the diaphragm F falls 1 again and more water is admitted to the carbid-chamber, the supply being again out off when the pressure in the chamber 0 is restored. The supply of gas is thus automatically regulated in proportion to the consumption, and is continuous until the materials are exhausted, when they can readily be replaced and the operation proceed as before. be noted that the gas is stored in a chamber where it is not in contact with water, whereby it is prevented from absorbing moisture.

Furthermore, the entire generator is a closed compact body, the water being entirely inclosed, except when a small supply is needed for the generation of gas. These features are specially conducive to cleanliness and-produce a lamp particularly adapted for vehicles, such as bicycles, and for any use where ready portability is desirable. The lamp is compact and reliable, produces a brilliant As the pressure It will 5 light at a small cost and with little heat, and

is simple in construction and operation.

It is obvious that various modifications in the construction may be made without departing from the principle of my invention. For instance, the burner may be located at any desired distance from the generator proper, and several burners may be supplied from one generator, a feature particularly desirable in some vehicles. The gas and carbid chambers have been referred to as separate chambers, and I pr fer so to make them, for the reason that the carbid is thus contained in a separate chamber and removable receptacle, and is thereby easily accessible; but it is obvious that the two chambers may be made practically one, the carbid being placed in the bottom of the gas-chamber, and the perforated diaphragm may be dispensed with, although I prefer to employ the same. A spring may be employed to aid in depressing the diaphragm F, and various other modifications will readily suggest themselves. I therefore do not wish to be understood as limiting myself strictly to the precise details of construction hereinbefore set forth, and shown in the drawings.

I claim- 1. A lamp for bicycles, &c., having a generator comprising a water-chamber, a gaschamber separated therefrom by a flexible diaphragm, a chamber containing carbid of calcium connected with the two other chambers, and a valve controlling the connection between the water and carbid chambers and operated by the pressure of the gas in the gas-chamber upon the flexible diaphragm, substantially as set forth.

2. A lamp for bicycles, 850., having a generator comprising a water-chamber, a gaschamber separated therefrom by a flexible diaphragm having a Valve-opening, a chamber containing carbid of calcium below the water -chamber, and a fixed valve against which the flexible diaphragm is pressed by the gas in the gas-chamber to close the valveopening and stop the flow of water, said diaphragm reacting when the pressure falls to reestablish the flow, substantially as set forth.

3. A lamp for bicycles, 850., having a generator comprising in a single closed body a water-chamber, a fixed gas-chamber not in direct communication therewith, a flexible diaphragm between said chambers having a valve-opening, a carbid-of-calcium chamber, and a fixed valve against which the flexible diaphragm is pressed by the gas in the gaschamber to close the Valve-opening and stop the flow of water, said diaphragm reacting when the pressure falls to reestablish the flow, substantially as set forth.

4. A lamp for bicycles, 850., having a generator comprising in a single closed body a water-chamber, a gas-chamber below the same and separated therefrom by a flexible Ice diaphragm having a valve-opening, a chamthe valve-opening and stop the flow of water,

ber containing carbid of calcium below the said diaphragm reacting when the pressure 10 gas-chamber and separated therefrom by a falls to reestablish the fl0w,substantia11y as perforated diaphragm, a pipe extending from set forth.

5 the Valve-aperture of the' flexible diaphragm HENRY M. HANDSHY.

to the carbid-chamber, and a fixed Valve Witnesses: against which the flexible diaphragm is D. W. Ross,

pressed by the gas in the gas-chamber to close B BRANNON. 

